Our activities are designed to create opportunities for the Deaf community. Our main aims are awareness, access and advancement. Whenever possible, we provide Deaf New Zealanders with the knowledge, information, resources and skills they need to achieve their goals and be independent in their everyday lives.
We work with Deaf people in all areas of their lives including:
- Providing access to information and services
- Offering Deaf Awareness training to businesses
- Facilitating ongoing academic research and providing resources for local and national government
- Lobbying for better access to opportunities and services on behalf of New Zealand's Deaf communities
We promote New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), which became one of New Zealand's three official languages in 2006. More than 29,000 New Zealanders use this unique means of expression and communication either fully or partially in their day-to-day lives. Each year, New Zealand Sign Language Week helps advance NZSL and raise awareness about the Deaf community.
Deaf Aotearoa also represents New Zealand Deaf internationally as members of the World Federation of the Deaf.
Local Offices
DANZ Team
Deaf Aotearoa Team
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We have 12 branches, plus outreach offices, around the country. Our offices deliver a variety of services to a wide range of Deaf and hearing people, aged from 15 years.
What we do
Working with us
History
Our History
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We opened our first office in Auckland in 1977. Since then, we have provided essential services to the Deaf community, working with government and other partners to promote Deaf culture and the interests of Deaf New Zealanders.
Deaf Community
Deaf Community
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We are visual people - we access everything through our eyes. That is how we communicate and how we learn. We are passionate about the wellbeing of other Deaf people.
